Reaction pathways at the initial steps of trioxane polymerisation

Cleavage and (re)formation of oxymethylene moieties are essential steps during the build-up of polyoxymethylene (POM), a technically relevant high-performance polymer.

Sustainable Conversion of Carbon Dioxide: An Integrated Review of Catalysis and Life Cycle Assessment

CO₂ conversion covers a wide range of possible application areas from fuels to bulk and commodity chemicals and even to specialty products with biological activity such as pharmaceuticals. In the present review, we discuss selected examples in these areas in a combined analysis of the state-of-the-art of synthetic methodologies and processes with their life cycle assessment. Thereby, we attempted to assess the potential to reduce the environmental footprint in these application fields relative to the current petrochemical value chain. This analysis and discussion differs significantly from a viewpoint on CO₂ utilization as a measure for global CO₂ mitigation. Whereas the latter focuses on reducing the end-of-pipe problem "CO₂ emissions" from todays' industries, the approach taken here tries to identify opportunities by exploiting a novel feedstock that avoids the utilization of fossil resource in transition toward more sustainable future production. Thus, the motivation to develop CO₂-based chemistry does not depend primarily on the absolute amount of CO₂ emissions that can be remediated by a single technology. Rather, CO₂-based chemistry is stimulated by the significance of the relative improvement in carbon balance and other critical factors defining the environmental impact of chemical production in all relevant sectors in accord with the principles of green chemistry.

A DFT Study on the Co-polymerization of CO2 and Ethylene: Feasibility Analysis for the Direct Synthesis of Polyethylene Esters

The co-polymerization of CO2 with the non-polar monomer ethylene, though highly desirable, still presents a challenge whereas the palladium-catalyzed CO/C2 H4 co-polymerization is well understood. Building on this analogy, the goal of this study was to elucidate the feasibility of developing suitable catalysts for co-polymerizing CO2 with ethylene to polyethylene esters. Computational methods based on density functional theory were hereby employed. In the search for new catalyst lead structures, a closed catalytic cycle was identified for the palladium-catalyzed CO2 /C2 H4 co-polymerization reaction. The computational study on palladium complexes with a substituted anionic 2-[bis(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-phosphine]-benzene-2-hydroxo ligand revealed key aspects that need to be considered when designing ligand sets for potential catalysts for the non-alternating co-polymerization of CO2 and ethylene.

Unprecedented Carbonato Intermediates in Cyclic Carbonate Synthesis Catalysed by Bimetallic Aluminium(Salen) Complexes

The mechanism by which [Al(salen)]2 O complexes catalyse the synthesis of cyclic carbonates from epoxides and carbon dioxide in the absence of a halide cocatalyst has been investigated. Density functional theory (DFT) studies, mass spectrometry and (1) H NMR, (13) C NMR and infrared spectroscopies provide evidence for the formation of an unprecedented carbonato bridged bimetallic aluminium complex which is shown to be a key intermediate for the halide-free synthesis of cyclic carbonates from epoxides and carbon dioxide. Deuterated and enantiomerically-pure epoxides were used to study the reaction pathway. Based on the experimental and theoretical results, a catalytic cycle is proposed.

Transparent Films from CO2 -Based Polyunsaturated Poly(ether carbonate)s: A Novel Synthesis Strategy and Fast Curing

Transparent films were prepared by cross‐linking polyunsaturated poly(ether carbonate)s obtained by the multicomponent polymerization of CO₂, propylene oxide, maleic anhydride, and allyl glycidyl ether. Poly(ether carbonate)s with ABXBA multiblock structures were obtained by sequential addition of mixtures of propylene oxide/maleic anhydride and propylene oxide/allyl glycidyl ether during the polymerization. The simultaneous addition of both monomer mixtures provided poly(ether carbonate)s with AXA triblock structures. Both types of polyunsaturated poly(ether carbonate)s are characterized by diverse functional groups, that is, terminal hydroxy groups, maleate moieties along the polymer backbone, and pendant allyl groups that allow for versatile polymer chemistry. The combination of double bonds substituted with electron‐acceptor and electron‐donor groups enables particularly facile UV‐ or redox‐initiated free‐radical curing. The resulting materials are transparent and highly interesting for coating applications.

Surprisingly facile CO2 insertion into cobalt alkoxide bonds: A theoretical investigation

Exploiting carbon dioxide as co-monomer with epoxides in the production of polycarbonates is economically highly attractive. More effective catalysts for this reaction are intensively being sought. To promote better understanding of the catalytic pathways, this study uses density functional theory calculations to elucidate the reaction step of CO2 insertion into cobalt(III)-alkoxide bonds, which is also the central step of metal catalysed carboxylation reactions. It was found that CO2 insertion into the cobalt(III)-alkoxide bond of [(2-hydroxyethoxy)Co(III)(salen)(L)] complexes (salen = N,N"-bis(salicyliden-1,6-diaminophenyl)) is exothermic, whereby the exothermicity depends on the trans-ligand L. The more electron-donating this ligand is, the more exothermic the insertion step is. Interestingly, we found that the activation barrier decreases with increasing exothermicity of the CO2 insertion. Hereby, a linear Brønsted-Evans-Polanyi relationship was found between the activation energy and the reaction energy.

Methyl N-phenyl carbamate synthesis from aniline and methyl formate: carbon recycling to chemical products

Methyl N-phenyl carbamate was synthesized from aniline by using methyl formate as a green and efficient carbonylating agent. High yields were obtained at milder reaction conditions compared to the conventional CO/CH3 OH route. Studies on the reaction sequence led to suggest an alternative and more efficient route to the carbamate via formanilide as intermediate.

Anion effect controlling the selectivity in the zinc-catalysed copolymerisation of CO2 and cyclohexene oxide

The choice of the anion has a surprisingly strong effect on the incorporation of CO2 into the polymer obtained during the zinc-catalysed copolymerisation of CO2 and cyclohexene oxide. The product span ranges from polyethercarbonates, where short polyether sequences alternate with carbonate linkages, to polycarbonates with a strictly alternating sequence of the repeating units. Herein, we report on the influence of the coordination ability of the anion on the selectivity and kinetics of the copolymerisation reaction.

The distinct role of the flexible polymer matrix in catalytic conversions over immobilised nanoparticles

Polymer resins with immobilized metal nanoparticles represent highly promising materials for attaining intelligent and ecologically friendly catalysts.

Carbon Dioxide as a Carbon Resource – Recent Trends and Perspectives

With the growing perception of industrialized societies that fossil raw materials are limited resources, academic chemical research and chemical industry have started to introduce novel catalytic technologies which aim at the development of economically competitive processes relying much more strongly on the use of alternative carbon feedstocks. Great interest is given world-wide to carbon dioxide (CO2) as it is part of the global carbon cycle, nontoxic, easily available in sufficient quantities anywhere in the industrialized world, and can be managed technically with ease, and at low cost. In principle carbon dioxide can be used to generate a large variety of synthetic products ranging from bulk chemicals like methanol and formic acid, through polymeric materials, to fine chemicals like aromatic acids useful in the pharmaceutical industry. Owing to the high thermodynamic stability of CO2, the energy constraints of chemical reactions have to be carefully analyzed to select promising processes. Furthermore, the high kinetic barriers for incorporation of CO2 into C-H or C-C bond forming reactions require that any novel transformation of CO2 must inevitably be associated with a novel catalytic technology. This short review comprises a selection of the most recent academic and industrial research developments mainly with regard to innovations in CO2 chemistry in the field of homogeneous catalysis and processes.

The microstructure and melt properties of CO–ethylene copolymers with remarkably low CO content

Unique structure–property relationships were revealed for non-alternating polyketones obtained with unprecedented efficiency by a new protocol for the palladium-catalysed copolymerisation of CO and ethylene.

Highly active Cr(iii) catalysts for the reaction of CO2 with epoxides

This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of [Cr(babhq)OAc^F(EtOH)] (OAc^F− = CF₃CO₂⁻) as well as the application of the complex as the catalyst in the reaction of CO₂ with epoxides.

Chemical technologies for exploiting and recycling carbon dioxide into the value chain

While experts in various fields discuss the potential of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies, the utilization of carbon dioxide as chemical feedstock is also attracting renewed and rapidly growing interest. These approaches do not compete; rather, they are complementary: CCS aims to capture and store huge quantities of carbon dioxide, while the chemical exploitation of carbon dioxide aims to generate value and develop better and more-efficient processes from a limited part of the waste stream. Provided that the overall carbon footprint for the carbon dioxide-based process chain is competitive with conventional chemical production and that the reaction with the carbon dioxide molecule is enabled by the use of appropriate catalysts, carbon dioxide can be a promising carbon source with practically unlimited availability for a range of industrially relevant products. In addition, it can be used as a versatile processing fluid based on its remarkable physicochemical properties.

Formation of solvent cages around organometallic complexes in thin films of supported ionic liquid

The first experimental evidence for the formation of ordered three-dimensional structures in solutions of organometallic complexes in a thin film of supported ionic liquid was obtained. The ordering effect leads to drastically reduced mobility of ionic liquid and complex molecules.

Markownikoff and anti-Markownikoff hydroamination with palladium catalysts immobilized in thin films of silica supported ionic liquids

The concept of immobilising organometallic complexes in a thin film of supported ionic liquids was utilised to synthesise novel bi-functional catalysts combining soft Lewis acidic and strong Brønsted acidic functions; the materials showed exceptional catalytic activity for the addition of aniline to styrene, providing the Markownikoff product under kinetically controlled conditions and mainly the anti-Markownikoff product in the thermodynamic regime.

Continuous hydroamination in a liquid-liquid two-phase system

The direct addition of NH across a CC multiple bond (hydroamination) was efficiently catalysed in a liquid-liquid two-phase system. The latter comprised a polar catalyst phase of Zn(CF3SO3)2 in the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifuoromethanesulfonate and a substrate mixture in heptane. The possibility of catalysing different hydroamination reactions continuously was demonstrated.